The Sycamore Stakes is a Grade II American Thoroughbred horse race for three-year-olds or older, over a distance of miles on the turf held annually in October at Keeneland Race Course, Lexington, Kentucky during the autumn meeting. The event currently carries a purse of $300,000.
History
The inaugural running of the event was on 12 October 1995 over a distance of miles and was won by Frank Mansell's five-year-old Lindon Lime who was ridden by US Hall of Fame jockey Craig Perret. Lindon Lime started as the even money favorite and won finishing strongly by lengths in a time of 2:42.11 setting a new track record for the distance.
In 2001 the distance was reduced one furlong to miles. The event was won by Rochester who in his career win the event two more times (2002, 2005) and placing third as well in 2004.
In 2015 the event was upgraded to a Grade III.
Due to extremely wet conditions, the Sycamore was run "off the turf" on the polytrack in 2011. The event was also run at miles, originally scheduled for miles. The American Graded Stakes Committee determined that the race lose its grade for the 2013 running which was also run on the polytrack.
Between 2001 and 2006 the Breeders' Cup sponsored the event which reflected in the name of the event.
In 2025 the event was upgraded to Grade II by the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association.
Records Speed record miles: 2:26.08 (new track record) Highway Robber (2024) miles (turf): 2:38.68 Royal Strand (IRE) (1999) miles (polytrack): 2:39.40 Sanagas (GER) (2011)
Margins lengths: Royal Strand (IRE) (1999)
Most wins: 3 – Rochester (2001, 2002, 2005)
Most wins by a jockey: 4 – Pat Day (1999, 2001, 2002, 2003)
Most wins by a trainer: 5 – Jonathan E. Sheppard (2000, 2001, 2002, 2005, 2009)
Most wins by an owner: 6 – Augustin Stable (2000, 2001, 2002, 2005, 2014, 2015)
Winners Year Winner Age Jockey Trainer Owner Distance Time Purse Grade Ref2025Desvio4John R. VelazquezMadison F. Meyers Stonelea Stables & Bonnie Rye Stabel miles2:29.16$341,875 II 2024Highway Robber 4Tyler GaffalioneBrian A. Lynch Jim & Susan Hill miles2:26.08 $289,500 III 2023Bold Act (IRE)3Jamie SpencerCharlie ApplebyGodolphin miles2:28.08$269,213III2022Highland Chief (IRE)5John R. VelazquezH. Graham MotionMrs. Fitriani Hay miles2:28.87$266,813 III2021Spooky Channel6Julien R. LeparouxJason BarkleyNBS Stable miles2:29.71$150,000III2020Red Knight6James GrahamWilliam I. MottTrinity Farm miles2:28.81$150,000III2019Marzo4Ricardo Santana Jr.Michael J. MakerThree Diamond Farms miles2:32.72$150,000III2018Zulu Alpha5Channing HillJohn Alexander OrtizMichael M. Hui miles2:34.21$100,000III2017Big Bend3Drayden Van DykeThomas F. ProctorUnion Rags Racing miles2:33.24$100,000III2016Renown (GB)5Angel CruzElizabeth VossMerriebelle Stable miles2:35.37$100,000III2015Holiday Star5Edgar S. PradoH. Graham MotionAugustin Stable miles2:33.06$100,000III2014Holiday Star4Rosie NapravnikH. Graham MotionAugustin Stable miles2:33.83$100,000III2013Najjaar4James GrahamDaniel C. PeitzShadwell Farm miles2:41:49$100,000 Listed 2012Kindergarten Kid5Julien R. LeparouxMichael J. MakerKen & Sarah Ramsey miles2:31.80$100,000III2011Sanagas (GER)5Rajiv MaraghH. Graham MotionAndreas Jacobs miles2:39.40$100,000III2010Brass Hat9Calvin H. BorelWilliam B. BradleyFred Bradley miles2:30.73$100,000III2009Cloudy's Knight9S J Stables miles2:30.87$125,000III2008Always First (GB)7Rene R. DouglasThomas H. VossMerriefield Farm miles2:30.98$150,000III2007Transduction Gold4James GrahamJohn GlenneyKim & John Glenney miles2:31.96$137,500III2006Revved Up8Garrett K. GomezChristophe Clement Live Oak Plantation Racing miles2:29.83$163,800III2005Rochester9Gary L. StevensJonathan E. SheppardAugustin Stable miles2:34.30$161,100III2004Mustanfar3Jose A. SantosKiaran P. McLaughlinShadwell Stable miles2:30.88$162,300III2003Sharbayan (IRE)5Pat DayWallace DollaseIron County Farms & Miller Trust miles2:29.55 $138,200III2002Rochester6Pat DayJonathan E. SheppardAugustin Stable miles2:30.48$154,400 Listed 2001Rochester5Pat DayJonathan E. SheppardAugustin Stable miles2:31.29$166,200 Listed 2000Crowd Pleaser5Calvin H. BorelJonathan E. SheppardAugustin Stable miles2:44.00$74,675Listed 1999Royal Strand (IRE)5Pat DayW. Elliott WaldenJames H. Stone miles2:38.68$69,375Listed 19984Shane SellersW. Elliott WaldenJames H. Stone miles2:41.93$55,500 Listed 1997Gleaming Key5Shane SellersHilary A. PridhamBarry Golden miles2:45.86$54,000 Listed 1996Gleaming Key4Robby AlbaradoP. Noel HickeyGeorge B. Peterson Jr. miles2:44.49$52,910 Listed 1995Lindon Lime5Craig PerretW. Elliott WaldenFrank Mansell miles2:42.11$60,760 Listed
Legend:
See also List of American and Canadian Graded races
References